Nournews: “The art of mirrorwork in Iranian architecture” has been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
During the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi, India, the committee approved the inscription of this element under the official title “Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture.”
With this inscription, the number of Iran’s registered elements on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage has reached 27.
This is Iran’s first global registration in the field of Iranian architecture within UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage framework, marking the entry of “Persian Architecture” into UNESCO documents.
The nomination file for “The art of mirrorwork in Iranian architecture” had been submitted to UNESCO by Iran in April 2024.
Prepared and compiled by Shahab Nikman, the file received praise from the Evaluation Body for its high-quality documentation and was approved for inscription by the committee.
As part of this year’s official program, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, in cooperation with the Mana Naqsh Heritage Institute (the organization responsible for preparing the file), organized an exhibition on the global registration of Iranian mirrorwork. This event, held alongside the intergovernmental committee meeting, has been considered a rare example of collaboration with UNESCO during such sessions.
Mirrorwork is the handmade art of decorating architectural surfaces such as ceilings, walls, domes, columns, and panels using cut pieces of mirror. The process involves cutting and shaping mirrors into geometric patterns or organic forms and attaching them to surfaces to create designs that reflect light and illuminate space. This art combines multiple skills—from design, mirror-cutting, and plasterwork to painting and mosaic-making. In traditional communities, mirrors and water symbolize purity and light, and mirrorwork embodies the cultural significance of illumination.
The art of mirrorwork is transmitted both informally through apprenticeships and workshops, and formally through universities, NGOs, and educational institutions. In most cases, it is a profession passed from one generation to the next, often taught by grandfathers, fathers, and uncles to their children.
Masters of mirrorwork hold high social status, and the craft is recognized as both a luxurious and spiritual form of expression, decorating a wide range of traditional and modern spaces—from sacred shrines and religious sites to royal palaces and private residences. As a widespread art form, mirrorwork continues to play an important role in both the restoration of historic buildings and contemporary design.
Iran had previously succeeded in registering several other intangible heritage elements, including:
Traditional carpet weaving in Kashan; the radif of Iranian music; Taziyeh; the music of the Bakhshi of Khorasan; Naqqali and dramatic storytelling; Nowruz; the art of making and playing the kamancheh; Pahlevani and Zoorkhaneh rituals; the craft and playing technique of the dotar; knowledge of traditional boatbuilding; the culture of baking and sharing lavash bread; Qalishuyan rituals; traditional carpet weaving skills in Fars; Chogan; Persian miniature; the pilgrimage tradition to St. Thaddeus Church; the national program for safeguarding calligraphy; Yalda/Chelleh Night; the art of making and playing the oud; Turkmen needlework; sericulture and traditional silk production; the art of illumination (tazhib); Iftar traditions; the Sadeh festival; the Mehregan festival; and the art of making and playing the rubab.
The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is currently underway in New Delhi, India. A total of 67 nomination files from 77 countries have been submitted for inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists, which—beyond formal recognition—serve as powerful tools for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage worldwide.
NOURNEWS